At this mont, Jiraiya finally realized that what Konoha should worry about most wasn’t the Uchiha Clan—but Danzo. That rat hiding in the shadows, clinging to the roots of Konoha like a parasite, slowly draining the life out of the entire village.
"Hikaru, now that you know all this... what are you planning to do with the Uchiha?"
Jiraiya no longer cared about the assignnt Sarutobi Hiruzen had given him.
After learning the truth, he realized the Uchiha Clan had been burdened with false accusations for far too long.
Uchiha Hikaru exhaled, unleashing a massive fireball.
The dead trees nearby ignited in flas.
"If we want to change the village, we must keep evolving. Those old relics need to step down. That which should disappear must be eliminated. This is the path I will lead the Uchiha Clan down."
"It’s been six years since Hiruzen returned to the Hokage seat. It’s ti to find a new Hokage. And it’s ti to wipe out the plague that is Danzo."
Jiraiya furrowed his brows.
Not because he disagreed—in fact, he agreed wholeheartedly.
But it was still too difficult for the current Uchiha to accomplish what Hikaru intended.
"Hikaru, I support your vision. But the Uchiha are still not strong enough to pull this off."
"Even though the villagers’ perception of your clan has improved greatly, there are still other obstacles."
The flas on the dead tree had burned out.
Hikaru stood up and extended his right hand to Jiraiya.
"I knew that from the start."
Jiraiya hesitated, staring at the outstretched hand before finally gripping it and pulling himself to his feet.
"You an... you’ve already made preparations?"
As Jiraiya stood, the two withdrew their hands.
"That’s right. Root has done a lot of things in the na of the Hokage. Many clans were already dissatisfied. And recently, Root only made things worse."
"Now, many clans have reached a consensus with the Uchiha."
Jiraiya’s curiosity flared. What kind of alliances had Hikaru ford to be this confident?
"Which clans have joined you?"
"The Hyuga. The Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi. Is that enough?"
Jiraiya’s jaw dropped, eyes wide with shock.
"What the hell did Danzo do to push even the Hyuga and the Ino-Shika-Cho into your camp?"
"The Hyuga never involve themselves in political matters... and the Ino-Shika-Cho have always been loyal to the old man. How did this happen? It doesn’t make sense..."
Jiraiya’s shock was understandable. After all, he didn’t know that, in order to strengthen Root’s power, Danzo had forged Hokage orders and tried to abduct children from the major clans.
So Hikaru spent a few minutes summarizing the truth for him.
Jiraiya grew even angrier after hearing it. Children were the future of the village. He hadn’t expected Danzo to stoop so low for his own selfish ambition.
"In that case, I’ll join you. As one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha, I can’t ignore what’s happening to the village."
"But I have one condition."
Hikaru nodded.
"Na it."
"Let the old man step down with dignity. That’s all I ask—as his student."
Hikaru rolled his eyes.
"Please. Sarutobi Hiruzen never directly persecuted the Uchiha. If we put Danzo aside, he’s still a respectable Hokage. I’ll show him the respect he deserves."
With that assurance, Jiraiya finally released the last of the tension in his heart.
"So what’s the plan now? When are we making a move? I’m sure you’ve already worked it out."
Hikaru just spread his hands, looking utterly casual.
"No plan. I’ve done my part. From here on out, I’m just going to handle things as they co. It’s late—I’m going back to my house to cuddle with my girlfriend. You can either starve in my yard or go ho. Up to you."
Hikaru turned and walked toward his house.
Jiraiya stood there, wind blowing through his hair.
His mind was a ss. Hikaru’s casual tone stirred up a storm in his thoughts, like soone had dumped a lake into his head and stirred it with a stick. His brain was sloshing.
Still, Jiraiya couldn’t help calling out.
"You really don’t have so hidden plan?! Tell ! I won’t tell the old man!"
He genuinely wanted to know. After learning all this, just sitting still would drive him insane.
Hikaru stopped and turned back.
He stared at Jiraiya like he was an idiot—eyes full of disdain.
Jiraiya felt personally attacked.
"Even if we do plan to make a move, we have to wait for that bastard Danzo to act first. Otherwise, how would the villagers believe us? How would the other clans unite with us?"
"Moron."
With that, Hikaru turned and walked off again.
Thud!
The door closed behind him.
The sound echoed like chunks of ice clashing together in Jiraiya’s chaotic mind.
But Hikaru’s final words gave him clarity. The important allies were already in place. All they could do now... was wait.
So Jiraiya leapt over the wall and disappeared into the night.
—
Back inside, Hikaru took off his flak vest and climbed into bed, wrapping his arms around Anko’s waist.
"You’re back. Who was it so late at night? You made wait forever."
Anko shifted, pressing her back against Hikaru’s chest.
"Just Jiraiya."
She turned to face him, her large light brown eyes filled with curiosity.
"Jiraiya? What’d he want?"
"He ca on Hiruzen’s behalf. What else? He just can’t let go of the Uchiha."
"By the way... Anko, what do you think of Orochimaru?"
"Don’t ntion that traitorous bastard."
Anko turned away again, agitation clear in her body language.
...
There was a long silence.
Eventually, she pressed her face against Hikaru’s chest.
"Honestly... I don’t know. Orochimaru-sensei was always good to . I still don’t understand why he betrayed the village."
"I couldn’t believe it at first. And I don’t understand why he let go..."
Hikaru gently pulled her closer, whispering against her hair.
"It’s okay. Sleep. Soday, you’ll find the answers."
"...Mm."
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